Production of formates



Patented Jan. 8,192 9.

UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE.

RUDOLF wI-Er'znn AND FRANZ KREMI, or LUDWIGSHAFEN-ON-THE-RHINE, GER- MANY, ASSIGNORS mo I. a. FARBENINDUSTRIE AKTIENGESELLSCHAIT, or FRANK- Fonr-oN-mHn-MAIN, GERMANY, A CORPORATION or GERMANY.

PRODUCTION OF FORMATES.

Ho Drawing. Application filed April,27,-' 1928, SeriaLNo. 273,425, and in Germany May 28, 1927.

This invention relates to an improved process for the production of formates.

It is already knownthat alkyl formates are formed by the action of carbon monoxid, un-

- der pressure, on aliphatic alcohols in the presence of alcoholates.

We have now found that alcohols of cyclic compounds, preferably under a'pressure higher thanatmospheric, at elevated temperature and in thepresence of alcoholates. The known 7 working methods for the production of; the alkyl formates are directly applicable to the'above process.

The following examples further illustrate the nature of the invention, which however is not restricted thereto.

A An autoclave is charged with cyclohexanol containing 1 per cent of metallic sodium in solution, and is heated to 90 centigrade.

Carbon monoxid is then forced in under a ressure of 200 atmospheres, this pressure eing maintained by the periodical or continuous admission of further carbon monoxid. The transformation will be complete" at the end of four hours. After cooling down, and releasing the pressure in the autoclave, the product, consisting of 80 per cent of formate,

1 is sucked off from the solid alcoholate, shaken up with a little water, separated from the'lat- I ll ter, dried and rectified.

formates of the cyhc series are obtained when act ng wlth carbon monoxld, or gases contalmng the same, on

E wample 2.

Benzyl alcohol with addition of 0.5 per cent potassium, is treated at 80 centigrade with a gaseous mixture containing-6O per cent of carbon monoxid, and 40 percent of nitrogen and hydrogen, a pressure of 200 atmospheres being employed. A good yield of the forfriate of benzyl alcohol is obtained.

llVhat we claim is:

1. A process, for the production of formates of the cyclic series which comprises acting,

on alcohols. of cyclic compounds with carbon monoxid at an elevated temperature and in the presence of alcoholates.

2. A process for the production of formates of the cyclic series which comprises actin on alcohols of cyclic compounds with car on monoxid at an elevated temperature in the presence of alcoholates and at a pressure higher than atmospheric.

pheres in the presence of sodium alcoholatc.

i In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands. RUDOLF WIETZEL.

FRANZ KREMP. 

